Frequently wash your hands, get a vaccination, and stay home if you become ill.

That was the message when Oak Valley Hospital in Oakdale hosted a seminar on the H1N1 virus — also known as the Swine Flu — on Sept. 9, with experts from Stanislaus County providing up to date information about steps people should take to remain safe.

The World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control have declared H1N1 a pandemic, although the virus has so far only been as dangerous as the common seasonal flu.

On hand to provide advice was Terry Nelson, an infection control coordinator from the hospital; Dr. John Walker, Stanislaus County Public Health Officer; Dr. Krystyna Belski, a pediatrician from Oakdale Pediatrics; and Nancy Fisher, nursing director for the Stanislaus Health Services Agency. They were part of a panel discussion on the H1N1 virus and what people can do to remain healthy.

Walker told the audience the H1N1 strain was similar to the Spanish Flu, although not as deadly at this point.

The Spanish Flu struck in 1918, killing millions worldwide, including residents of Oakdale.

Belski said people who have the H1N1 virus can become contagious 24 hours prior to having symptoms.

“Shedding of the virus can last up to seven days,” she noted.

She also said victims of H1N1 will display typical flu symptoms, with temperatures of up to 103 degrees, body aches, and sometimes nausea.

Belski said while typically the elderly and young are at risk during a normal flu season, H1N1 strikes many young adults. She said children with preexisting conditions and pregnant women are at the most risk from H1N1.

Fisher said although a vaccine for H1N1 will not be available until next month, people should also obtain a seasonal flu vaccination, which is currently available.

“We need to address the seasonal flu before we start talking about H1N1,” she said.

Health officials are particularly concerned about those who may become infected with both strains of the flu at the same time.

Nelson spoke of social distancing, which he described as keeping away from those who are displaying H1N1 symptoms.

“The human to human spread of disease can be taken care of if there is not human to human contact,” he said.

Nelson also described H1N1 as a fragile virus.

“A detergent based cleaner is very effective,” he noted, adding keeping a home free of the virus doesn’t require special methods.

“Focus on ‘high touch’ areas,” he said, including doorknobs, counters, and other items people frequently touch.

Walker stressed the importance of obtaining vaccines, and said people, especially older residents, should obtain a pneumonia vaccination. He said although minor side effects of past vaccines have been noted, the vast majority of people will not have any difficulties.

Walker said almost all current flu cases consist of those inflicted with H1N1.

“Here’s the reality: if you’re showing flu symptoms in Stanislaus County in September 2009, there’s a 98 percent chance you have H1N1.

“It’s unfortunately now a common medical aliment.”

Walker said it is important for people to not let their guard down, especially if H1N1 cases seem to lessen.

“Most pandemics come in waves, usually three of them,” he said. “We’re in the first wave.”

Walker said not enough is currently known about H1N1 to predict how frequently these waves will occur, although they appeared over an 18-month period with the Spanish Flu in 1918.

Oakdale residents Gwen and Fred Beck attended the seminar to learn more about H1N1.

“We feel it can be a big problem, and we want to learn more about it,” Gwen Beck said.

“We have a lot of friends we can pass this information on to,” added Fred Beck.